SLA 3D printers are used in various industries, from jewelry to dentistry to several companies, at affordable prices. We’ve compiled a list of the ten leading SLA 3D printers based on our research. Before that, let’s refresh what we know about SLA.
What is SLA?
Stereolithography is also known as SLA. This method uses a UV laser and mirrors (galvanometers) to cure the photosensitive resin. It was one of the very first additive printing methods. SLA 3D printers were first invented in 1986 by Chuck Hull.
After SLA, many similar improvised processes emerged, such as DLP. However, SLA has not lost its significance over time. It’s used in the jewelry, automobile, and aerospace industries to make prototypes and functional parts.
The Advantages of SLA 3D Printing
SLA 3D printers have numerous advantages. These are some of them:
- 3D prints that are extremely precise
- Finished with a smooth surface
- A wide range of materials
- Low-cost
- High-volume production stiffness and strength
- Resistant to chemicals
- Prints with a high resolution
Important things to Consider while Choosing SLA 3D Printer
Purpose
One of the first things you should consider when purchasing a 3D printer is what you intend to make with it. This can significantly impact the type of machine you should buy.
Printer Style
There are a few different printer styles available on the market that you should consider. What you choose will, once again, influence the types of things you can make with the printer.
Quality
Before you buy, you should evaluate the printer’s overall quality. Naturally, print quality is determined by two factors: print resolution and print speed.
Now, let’s discuss the choicest SLA printers with their characteristic attributes and prices.
Top 10 SLA 3D Printers of 2022
There are hundreds of SLA 3D printers available in the market. If you want to buy one for your company, screening out each 3D printer that meets your requirements is time-consuming and exhausting, especially if you have no prior experience.
The detailed comparison of the following best 10 SLA 3D printers will make selecting one that meets your printing goals and demands easier.
1. XYZPrinting Nobel 1.0 A
XYZPrinting Nobel 1.0 A: Image Source: 3dprima.com
XYZPrinting is well-known for producing high-quality SLA 3D printers. The company began by manufacturing low-cost FDM 3D printers, but as demand for SLA printers grew, it expanded to include resin 3D printers.
The advanced version of Nobel 1.0 is Nobel 1.0 A. The letter ‘A’ stands for ‘Advanced.’ It has a print volume of 128 x 128 x 200 mm and runs on user-friendly XYZ Ware Nobel Software. The STL files can be uploaded for 3D printing using a USB cable or key.
The machine is reasonably priced at $1995.95 and is a good choice for long-term 3D printing.
2. Anycubic Photon S
Anycubic Photon S: Image Source: amazon.in
Anycubic, a Chinese company, created the Proton S, the cheapest SLA 3D printer. It provides complex 3D prints. It’s a better version of the original Proton. The plastic resin is cured using a UV lamp.
It comes with a 5.2-inch 2K LCD screen for monitoring the printing process. The printing quality is outstanding.
The printing speed is 15 to 18 mm per second, industrial-grade. It’s an excellent material for making jewelry, figurines, and other small models.
The printer has a 115 x 65 x 65 mm print volume and costs $419. It comes with a one-year warranty and a three-month warranty on the LCD screen.
3. Original Prusa SL1
Original Prusa SL1: Image Source: top3dshop.com
Prusa SL1, a magnetically appealing 3D printer, is a well-designed and ideal machine for producing high-quality 3D prints with minimal effort.
UV-sensitive liquid resin with a wavelength of 405 nanometers is supported by the printer.
The machine’s built volume is 120 x 68 x 150 mm, with a 0.025 to 0.1 mm layer resolution.
The printer costs $1399 unassembled and $1699 fully assembled. It is primarily used in the aerospace, medical, and jewelry industries to create functional prototypes and parts.
4. Formlabs Form 3
Formlabs Form 3: Image Source: formlabs.com
Form 3 is a more sophisticated version of Form 2. Low Force Stereolithography is used, which is superior to SLA. The built-in volume of the printer is 145 x 145 x 185 mm. The layer resolution is set to 25 microns.
It works with 20 different materials and is simple to set up by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
The machine’s body is black with an orange hood. The basic printer package costs $3499, while the full package costs $5999 and includes post-processing tools (one form wash, 1 L of resin, pro service plan, and one form cure).
Choose the package that is most cost-effective for you.
5. EnvisionTEC D4K Pro
Envision TEC D4K Pro: Image Source: envisiontec.com
Envision TEC D4K Pro, one of the large 3D printers, has a print volume of 148 x 83 x 110 mm. It allows for the faster production of large-scale models without sacrificing print quality.
The user can employ a variety of castable resins, such as PIC100, WIC100G, and QView, among others.
The XY and Z-axis resolutions are 25 microns and 1 micron, respectively. Its primary applications are in the dental and jewelry industries.
6. 3D Systems FabPro 1000
3D Systems FabPro 1000: Image Source: 3dprintingindustry.com
3D Systems produced the FabPro 1000, an entry-level industrial 3D printer. It has excellent print quality but comes at a high cost. It specializes in the low-volume production of small parts and prototypes.
The build volume is 125 x 75 x 120 mm, with a print speed of 21 millimeters per hour. Layer resolution ranges between 30 and 50 microns.
For 3D printing, the printer employs DLP StereoLithography technology. Engineering, manufacturing services, dentistry, and jewelry are among the industries that use it the most.
The cost of the machine is $4126.
It comes with a slew of extras. A print tray, two print platforms, a resin tank kit, and a post-processing kit are included.
7. Zortrax Inkspire
Zortrax Inkspire: Image Source: amazon.in
The vat polymerization process is used in Inkspire. To come up with the best design, a research team was assigned for at least two months.
It can print eight times faster and nine times more precisely than other 3D printers, as per the company.
Users in the automotive and consumer electronics industries were taken aback by this.
The layer height is a minimum of 25 microns, and the x-y resolution is 50 x 50 microns. The print volume is 74 x 132 x 175 mm, with a print speed of 20 to 36 mm per hour.
Aerospace, medical, jewelry, and automotive industries all use the printer.
Around $2699 is the price of the machine.
8. DWS XFAB 2000
DWS XFAB 2000: Image Source: sundonull.com
DWS Systems, an Italian company, created XFAB 2000 specifically for the jewelry and fashion industries. It claims that the XFAB 2000 is the best 3D printer for the money of its time.
Its dimensions are 180 x 180 x 180 mm. For greater precision, the layer thickness ranges from 10 to 100 microns.
The cost of the machine is $7540. The printer is also used to make fashion accessories like eyewear, keychains, studs, zip pullers, brooches, and cufflinks, among other things.
It’s a good option for those with long-term 3D printing goals.
9. Uniz Slash Pro
Uniz Slash Pro: Image Source: aniwaa.com
Uniz, a California-based company, created Slash Pro for professional use. For 3D printing, it is based on LCD technology. It has a build volume of 192 x 120 x 400 mm and can be used with any of the five resin types.
Layer resolutions of 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 micrometers are available on the printer.
The machine has two modes of operation. The printer uses standard resins in the usual way. It uses special resins established by the company in UDP (Uni-Directional Peel) mode.
The light source is an LCD that is kept in the tank. The UDP mode prints at 600mm per hour, while the standard mode prints at 200mm per hour.
The printer cost is $4499. The printer is delivered fully assembled by the manufacturer. Uniz has excellent customer service. You can watch instructional videos on the brand’s website for more information.
10. Phrozen Shuffle XL
Phrozen Shuffle XL: Image Source: top3dshop.com
Phrozen Shuffle XL, as the name suggests, allows for the 3D printing of large models without sacrificing quality. It can print full-size mechanical parts and precise medical equipment, jewelry, and automobiles for the aerospace industry.
LCD masked StereoLithography technology is used in the printer. It’s compatible with nanometer-sized resins.
It has a print area of 190 x 120 x 200 mm, a resolution of 85 microns on the X and Y axes, 10 microns on the Z-axis, and a print speed of 35 mm per hour.
The machine costs $1399 and is delivered fully assembled. A one-year warranty is also included.
Best 3D Printing Software – “SelfCAD”
3D Printing Software – “SelfCAD”: Image Source: 3dwithus.com
SelfCAD is a free online 3D modeling and STL editor software for beginners and advanced 3D printer users. The user interface of this 3D printing software is very simple. Compared to other programs, the average number of available tools has been drastically reduced, with only the most commonly used tools included. SelfCAD is one of the programs whose devices can be easily mastered because the available tools can be reused. It’s the only 3D modeling software that combines artistic, technical, rendering, and 3D printing capabilities into a single package!
SelfCAD is 3D printing optimized in several ways. There’s a Magic Fix tool that ensures the model’s geometry is stable. An in-built slicer assists you in slicing your models and generating G-Code for your 3D printer.
It’s the most cost-effective professional 3D printing tool available, and both beginners and experts use it. You can sign up for a free account and use it to test out the program before upgrading to the premium version if you like it.
SLA 3D Printers – Conclusion
SLA 3D printers can produce high-quality prints, and their prices have dropped significantly in recent years. Both personal users and businesses can afford them.
Finding the right one isn’t as simple as buying the first 3D printer you come across; there are several factors to consider first.
This is why we compiled this list to show you the best SLA 3D printers on the market, but you must choose one, or you can also try our SelfCAD 3D Modeling and Printing software.
